Timed drop applicator

ABSTRACT

Arrangements for dispensing liquid in droplet form at timed intervals from a receptacle defining a liquid reservoir. The receptacle includes openings at opposite ends thereof defined in part by integral externally threaded neck portions. One of the openings is employed to fill the receptacle and control the venting of the interior of the receptacle to atmosphere, thus to control stopping and starting of drop dispensing. The other of the openings is a dispensing opening including dispensing and timing means through which liquid in the receptacle is dispensed and by which the rate of drop dispensing is controlled. Absorbent material may be supported beneath the receptacle to receive drops dispensed therefrom to facilitate evaporation of the liquid, and fan means may be associated with the receptacle and absorbent material to further facilitate evaporation of the liquid and entrainment of odoriferous vapors from the liquid into the moving airstream caused by fan operation.

United States Patent [191 Garbe 1 Apr. 16, 1974 [54] TIMED DROPAPPLICATOR 75 Inventor: Siegfried Garbe, Canton, Ohio [73] Assignee: TheNilodor Company, Inc., North I Canton, Ohio 22 Filed: Feb. 16, 1972 21Appl. No.: 226,686

' [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,007,026 10/1911 Forbeset al. 21/126 X 1,100,751 6/1914 Lindstrom 21/126 1,182,554 5/1916Garvey 222/187 1,238,068 8/1917 Slater'et a1..... 21/74 R UX 1,273,6827/1918 Slater et a1..... 21/125 X 1,349,703 8/1920' Williams 21/77 X2,047,973 7/1936 Lawton et al.. 21/74 R UX 2,310,] 18 2/1943Reinhardt... 21/74 R UX 2,520,056 8/1950 Pozun 222/420 X 2,614,82010/1952 Boydjieff 21/74 R UX 2,991,517 7/1961 Bundy 21/74 R X FOREIGNPATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 849,201 9/1960 Great Britain 21 74 R 58] FieldofSearch... 2l/74R, 55,53,77, 121-127;

310,079 9/1955 Switzerland..... 21/53 Primary Examiner-Barry S. RichmanAttorney, Agent, or FirmMeyer, Tilberry & Body 57 I ABSTRACTArrangements for dispensing liquid in droplet form at timed intervalsfrom a receptacle defining a liquid reservoir. The receptacle includesopenings at opposite ends thereof defined in part by integral externallythreaded neck portions. One of the openings is employed to fill thereceptacle and control the venting of the interior of the receptacle toatmosphere, thus to control stopping and starting of drop dispensing.The other of the openings is a dispensing opening including dispensingand timing means through which liquid in the receptacle is dispensed andby which the rate of drop dispensing is controlled. Absorbent materialmay be supported beneath the receptacle to receive drops dispensedtherefrom to facilitate evaporation of the liquid, and fan means may beassociated with the receptacle and absorbent material to furtherfacilitate evaporationof the liquid and entrainment of odoriferousvapors from the liquid into the moving airstream caused by fanoperation.

18 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures ?ATENTEDAPR 16 m4 SHEEI 1 BF 3 E l/IN M mPATENTEDAPR 16 1914 SL804; 592

sum 2 0F 3 w ww 21 ATENTEDAPR 1 6 l9?" SHEET 3 OF 3 MON OON MON mON m2om NON AvON N2 #9 ww ,TIMED DROP APPLICATOR The present inventionrelates to the art of dispensing and, more particularly, to thedispensing of liquid in droplet form from a receptacle or reservoir.

In the dispensing of liquid in droplet form from a receptacle orreservoir it is often desirable to support the receptacle in a fixeddisposition for the flow of liquid in droplet form therefrom to beachieved at timed intervals and over a considerable total period of timeso that frequent observation of the dispensing operation is notrequired. For example, it is often desired to periodically dispense adrop of deoderizing liquid into a room or other enclosure or intosanitary equipment to maintain a pleasant aroma in the surroundingatmosphere. As another example, certain machinery and apparatus requireperiodic lubrication which advantageously can be provided at timedintervals by drop dispensing devices to eliminate the necessity that themachine or apparatus operator personally attend to the lubricatingfunction each time it is required.

Drop applicator devices have, of course, been provided heretofore forthe purpose of dispensing liquid in droplet form from a receptacleorreservoir. Generally, such devices include a reservoir or receptaclehaving an outlet opening provided withabsorbent' material such as a wickdevice to facilitate transfer of liquid from within the receptacle to apoint of use exteriorly thereof. While such devices do operate toprovide for the dispensing of liquid in droplet form. they do not facilitate the economical production and use of such devices for purposesincluding these specifically mentioned hereinabove. The economicalproduction and use of such devices is of extreme importance when it isconsidered that several hundred such units might be required to controlan odor problem of a single establishment involved in, for example, thepoultry industry.

Thus, it is most desirable to provide a drop dispensing assembly whichis economical to produce, is readily mountable in its use position andwhich, when mounted, can readily and easily be controlledjto initiate orstop a dispensing operation and which facilitates openings is a'dispensing opening including timing and dispensing means which incertain embodiments is defined by removable insert means through whichthe liquid is dispensed in droplet form and by which the rate of dropdispensing is controlled. Advantageously, in the latter embodiments, avariety of inserts can be associated selectively with the dispensingopening, thus to provide for selectively choosing or changing the rateof droplet flow from the receptacle.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the neckmeans at opposite ends of the receptacle facilitate the mounting of thereceptacle relative to a support surface in a position of use, wherebystopping or starting of the drop dispensing operation can be achievedsimply by manipulation of the cap component, and whereby replenishing ofthe liquid supply in the receptacle can be achieved simply by removal ofthe cap component. Therefore, both of these functions can be achievedwithout removal of the receptacle from its support component. Moreover,where the timing and dispensing means is defined by insert means,

replenishment of the liquid supply when necessary and modification ofthe drop dispensing rate with a minimum of effort on the part of theuser and most often without separation or removal of the device from itssupport. Further, it is desirable, especially in conjunction with thedispensing of liquid deoderant, to enhance evaporation of dispensedliquid so that deoderant vapors are more rapidly entrained in thesurrounding atmosphere. v 1. u i

In accordance with the present invention, theforegoing advantages areachieved by providing dispensing arrangements including receptacleshaving structural features which facilitate the filling thereof withliquid to be dispensed, the rate at which liquid droplets are dispensedtherefrom, installation and support of the receptacles and, dispersionof the liquid droplets dispensed therefrom. More particularly, withregard to one aspectofthe present invention, adispensing receptacle isprovided having axially aligned openings therein each of which isdefined in part by an externally threaded neck structure integral withthe receptacle body. One of the openings is adapted to be employed tofilla receptaclewith liquid and to receive a cap component operable tocontrol the stopping and starting of drop dispensing from thereceptacle. The other of the the latter can be changed most often whilethe receptacle is in the mounted disposition. v i

With regard to a narrower aspect of the present invention, the neckmeans associated with the dispensing outlet opening of the receptacleprovidesmeans by which absorbent material such as blotter paper orasbestos can be supported beneath the dispensing and timing means toreceive and disburse liquid droplets dispensed from the receptacle.Dispersion of liquid droplets relative to the absorbent materialadvantageously facilitates evaporation of the liquid into thesurrounding air. Still further, when the drop dispensing arrangement isemployed in conjunction with a deoderizing function, the desiredevaporation is advantageously supplemented by employing fan means tocirculate ambient air relative to the absorbent material.

An outstanding object of the present inventionis the provision of dropdispensing means in which the ,components thereof are economicaltoproduce, lend to the ease of use of the arrangements and provide formore efficient control of drop dispensing functions than heretoforepossible. r

l A further object is the provision of drop dispensing means of the"above character including receptacle Another object is the provision ofdispensing means of the above character wherein the structure of thereceptacle means facilitates the use therewith of interchangeabledispensing and timing means through which the liquid is dispensed and bywhich the time interval between drops is controlled.

Yet another object of the present invention is the provision ofdispensing arrangements of the above character wherein the structure ofthe receptacle means facilitates the support thereby ofabsorbentmaterial onto which the liquid droplets are dispensed thus tofacilitate evaporation of the liquid dispensed.

, Still a further object of the present invention is the provision ofdispensing arrangements of the above character in which fanmeans isemployed to circulate ambient air past the absorbent material tofacilitate entrainment of liquid vapor into the ambient air.

These objects and others will in part be obvious and in part more fullypointed out hereinafter in conjunction with the description of thedrawing in which:

FIG. I is an elevation view, partially in section, of drop dispensingreceptacle means made in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of timing and dispensing insert meansemployed with the receptacle means of FIG. 1; I

FIG. 3 is an elevation view, partially in section, of another embodimentof receptacle means within the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an elevation view, partially in section, of yet anotherembodiment of receptacle means within the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a front elevation view of receptacle means made in accordancewith the present invention and illustrating a sheet of absorbentmaterial supported thereby adjacent the dispensing outlet;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the absorbent material and means for attachingthe material to a receptacle.

FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of the receptacle means similar to thatillustrated in FIG. 5 and further illustrates the receptacle means inthe mounted disposition thereof;

FIG. 8'is a bottom view of the receptacle and mounting arrangementillustrated in FIG. 7 taken along line 8-8 in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a front elevation view illustrating the receptacle of FIG. 7supported within an enclosure together with means for circulatingambient air through the enclosure; and

FIG. 10 is a side elevation view, in section, of the arrangementillustrated in FIG. 9, the section being taken along line 10-10 in FIG.9.

Referring now to the drawings in greater detai wherein the showings arefor the purpose of illustrating preferred embodiments of the presentinvention only and not for the purpose of limiting the same, dispensingreceptacle means 10 is illustrated in FIG. 1 which is comprised of acylindrical bodyportion 12 defined by side wall means 14 and end wallmeans 16 and 18 at opposite ends of side wall means 14. The receptaclemeans 10 is further defined by cylindrical neck means 20 at one endthereof and cylindrical neck means 22 at the other end thereof.Preferably, end-wall means 16 and 18 are integral with side wall means14, and neck means 20 and 22 are integral with end wall means 16 and 18,respectively, whereby an integral receptacle unit is defined thereby.The receptacle unit may be produced from any suitable material,preferably a plastic material, and in the preferred embodiment thereceptacle unit is produced from high density polyethylene. Moreover,the receptacle unit can be produced in any desired manner such as, forexample, by blow molding.

Receptacle means 10 has opening means 24 in one end thereof defined inpart by neck means 20 and opening means 26 in the other end thereofdefined in part by neck means 22. Further, neck means 20 is providedwith integral external thread means 28 and neck means 22 is providedwith integral external thread means 30. Opening means 24 serves as aninlet opening through which liquid to be dispensed can be introducedinto the receptacle means. Further, the latter opening is adapted to beclosed'by closure or cap means 32 which is internally threaded forcooperable threaded engagement with thread means 28. Cap means 32, in amanner set forth more fully hereinafter, also defines means to stop andstart the dispensing of liquid from receptacle means 10.

Neck means 22 includes a restricted outer end portion'34 which defines abore 36 which is substantially uniform in cross-sectional dimensionalong the length thereof. Bore 36 is adapted to removably receivedispensing and timing insert means 38. As best illustrated in FIG. 2 ofthe drawing, insert means 38 is comprised of a sleeve component 40 andwick means 42 having one end 44 thereof disposed in sleeve 40 and theother end 46 thereof extending from the corresponding end of the sleeve.Wick means 42 may be defined by any suitable material and, preferably,is defined by cotton fibers interrelated with wire core means in amanner similar to that of a pipe cleaner. Sleeve 40 is substantiallyuniform in external cross-sectional contour along its length and isadapted to be tightly received in neck bore 36 so as to preventunintended displacement of the sleeve relative to the'bore and to sealthe area between the surface of the bore and the external surface of thesleeve. Further, wick means 42 and bore 48 of sleeve 40 are relativelydimensioned so that the end 44 of the wick means which is disposed inthe sleeve is radially compressed thereby. The'extent to which wickmeans 42 is radially compressed determines the rate of flow of liquidalong the wick means to outlet end 50 of sleeve 40. Accordingly, byhaving sleeve means 40 removably associated with neck bore 36 it ispossible to provide a plurality of dispensing and timing insert meanseach having a sleeve 40 and wick means 42 and wherein the internaldimension of the sleeves are different to provide for different degreesof compression of the wick means, whereby different rates'of dropdispensing are obtained.

Sleeve 40 of dispensing and timing means 38 can be of any suitablematerial such as metal or plastic and, preferably, is cylindrical incross-sectional configuration. Further, it is preferred that the end 52of wick means 42 may be axially spaced inwardly of end 50 of sleeve 40so that the end of the wick means adjacent the outlet end of the sleeveis not directly exposed to ambient air. This feature advantageouslyprevents end 52 of wick means 42 from becoming clogged during use suchas would result from exposure of the wet end to ambient air if end 52were disposed axially outwardly from sleeve end 50. Further, in thisregard, it will be appreciated that the liquid being dispensed saturatesthe wick means whereby the exposed end of the 1 wick means would be wetduring the period of time between the dispensing of successive drops.Exposure of the wet wick to ambient air can, depending on, the liquidbeing dispensed, cause a certain amount of the material to dry andadhere to the wick whereby eventually, the

wick becomes clogged and the dispensing function is either completelyinterrupted or is otherwise undesirably altered. By providing for end 52of the wick to be spaced inwardly from end 50 of sleeve 40 such cloggingis advantageously avoided even when the time period between thedispensing of successive drops is of considerable duration.

In operation of the dispensing unit illustrated in FIG. 1, cap means 32is removed and the receptacle is filled to a desired level with theliquid to be dispensed therefrom. Cap means 32 is then replaced and isscrewed into tight engagement with end face 21 of neck means 20. Thistightly seals opening 24 against ingress of ambient air therethroughinto the receptacle. Such sealing can be further assured, if desired, bythe provision of a sealing gasket 33 within cap means 32. When cap means32 has been screwed into tight engagement with the neck means 20, thereceptacle unit can be disposed in its use position with neck means 22extending downwardly and, because of the sealed relationship, dispensingof drops from the receptacle unit will not take place. A dispensingoperation can be initiated by unscrewing cap means 32 to break the seal,whereby ambient air is vented into the receptacle behind the liquidtherein. To facilitate such venting, thread means 28 may be interruptedsuch as is indicated at 29. The unpensing of liquid in drop form beginswhen the cap seal is broken. From that point on, liquid drops aredispensed from the receptacle at timed intervals determined, asmentioned hereinabove, by the relative dimensions of wick means 42 andbore 48 in sleeve 40. When itis desired to stop the' dispensingfunction, it is only necessary to screw cap means 32 into sealing engagement with neck means 20. Further, when it is desired to replenishthe liquid supply in the receptacle, it is only necessary to remove capmeans 32 and introduce liquid into the receptacle through opening 24.

FIG. 3 illustrates another embodiment of dispensing receptacle meansmade in accordance with the present invention. In this respect,receptacle means 60 of suitable plastic material, preferablypolyethylene, is illustrated which is comprised of cylindrical bodyportion 64 and end wall means 66 and 68 at opposite ends of body portion64. Cylindrical neck means 70 extends axially'outwardly from end wallmeans 66 and cylindrical neck means 72 extends axially outwardly fromend wall means 68. As in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, end walls66 and 68 preferably are integral with the corresponding ends of bodyportion 64, and neck means 70 and 72 preferably are integral with thecorresponding end walls 66 and 68. Y

Receptacle means 60 has an opening 74 at one end thereof defined in partby neck means 70 and an opening 76 in the other end thereof defined inpart by neck means 72. In this embodiment, openings 74 and 76 aresubstantially the same size and neck means 70 and 72 are substantiallyidentical in diameter and in axial lengthrelative to the correspondingend wall of the receptacle. Moreover, neck means 70 is provided withintegral external thread means 78 and neck means 72 is provided withintegral external thread means80. Thread means 78 and 80 are alsosubstantially identical. Further, neck means 70 and 72 are each providedwith radially inwardly projecting annular lip means 82 and 84,respectively, for the purpose set forth more fully hereinafter. Thus, itwill be appreciated that the receptacle means is provided withsubstantially identical opening and neck means at the opposite endsthereof. 7

Receptacle means 60 further includes removable dispensing and timingmeans 86 at one end thereof and cap means 88 at the other end thereof.Dispensing and timing means 86, in this embodiment, is defined by sleevemeans 90 and wick means 92. Sleeve means 90 is in the form of a plug 94adapted to be releasably interengaged with lip means 84 of neck means72. In this respect, plug 94 includes an annular recess 96 adapted toreceive lip means 84. Recess 96 isdefined in part by a radiallyoutwardly extending flange '98 adapted to seat within the outer end ofneck means 72 and against lip means 84. The configurations of recess 96,flange 98 and lip means 84 and the dimensional relationship therebetweenis such that plug 94 is adapted to be snapped into place within neckmeans 72 in a manner whereby it is releasably retained therein and theengaging surfaces of the plug and neck means provide a seal againstleakage of liquid therebetween. Plug 94 includes an axially extendingbore 100 having a substantially uniform cross-sectional dimension alongthe length thereof, and the portionof wick means 92 disposed within bore100 is radially compressed therein in a manner similar to thathereinbefore described with regard to the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2.Accordingly, the relative dimensions of bore 100 and wick means 92-determine the rate at which liquid drops are dispensed from thereceptacle. Wick means 92 preferably is a wire cored fiber material, andit will be appreciated that the wire core advantageously providesrigidity for the wick means to facilitate its axial introduction intobore 100. Further, for reasons hereinbefore set forth, end 102 of wickmeans 92 preferably is spaced inwardly from outlet 104 of plug 94. v

Cap means 88-is similar to cap means 32 described withreference to theembodiment illustrated in FIG. 1. In this respect, the cap may beprovided with'an internal sealing gasket 106 to facilitate sealingengagement thereof with the outer end of neck means 70. Further, threadmeans 78 and 80 at opposite ends of the receptacle may be interrupted inthe manner described hereinabove to provide a vent passagewaythereacross.

While dispensingand timing means 86 is illustrated as being interengagedwith neck means 72, and cap means 88 is illustrated as beinginterengaged with neck means 70, it will be appreciated that byproviding the receptacle means with identical opening and neck means atopposite ends thereof the dispensing and timing means and the cap meanscan advantageously be selectively employed at either end of thereceptacle means. Moreover, the identical end structure feature providesfor cap means such as cap means 88 to be provided on both ends of thereceptacle to facilitate shipment or storage of the receptacle withliquid therein, if so desired. Accordingly, when it isdesired to use thereceptacle it is only necessary to remove one or the other of the capmeans and insert a dispensing and timing assembly into the correspondingneck means. The cap means at the other end of the receptacle then.provides for controlling the starting and stopping of a dispensingoperation in the manner hereinabove described with regard to theembodiment of FIG. 1 and for replenishing the liquid supply whennecessary.

FIG. 4illustrates yet another embodiment of dispensing means inaccordance with the present invention. In this respect, receptacle means110 is illustrated which is comprised of a body portion 112 and endwallmeans 114 and ll6 at opposite ends of body portion 112. Neck means 118having integral external thread means 120 thereon extends axially fromend wall means 114.

tion 112. In this embodiment, neck means 124 defines an opening 126which is substantially uniform in crosssectional dimension along thelength of neck means 124. Accordingly, opening 126 defines a boreadapted to receive wick means 128 which is similar in structure to thewick means described hereinabove. In this instance, neck means 124 andwick means 128 define dispensing and timing means which are integralwith the receptacle and which function in a manner similar to thedispensing and timing means described hereinabove' with regard to theembodiments of FIGS. 1 and 3. In this respect, the relative dimensionsof opening 126 and wick means 128 determines the extent to which thewick means is radially compressed within the opening and thus the timeinterval between the dispensing of successive drops of liquid from thereceptacle. Stopping and starting of a dispensing operation and thefilling or replenishing of the receptacle with liquid is achieved by capmeans 119, illustrated by broken lines, adapted to be associated withneck means 118 in a manner similar to that described hereinabove withregard to the earlier embodiments. Receptacle means 110, as in theearlier embodiments is produced, preferably, from high densitypolyethylene.

Another feature of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. and 6of the drawing. In this respect, drop dispensing receptacle means 130 isillustrated as having absorbent means 132 supported relative thereto andin a position to receive drops dispensed from the outlet end 134 of thereceptacle means. Receptacle means 130 may be any one of the receptaclemeans described hereinabove and, in this respect, includes cap means 136at one end thereof and externally threaded neck means 138 at the endthereof from which liquid droplets are to be dispensed. Absorbent means132 may be bent material undesirably provides for drops to collect alongthe peripheral edges thereof.

FIGS. 7 and 8 of the drawing illustrate yet another feature of thepresent invention. In this respect, receptacle means 150 is illustratedhaving absorbent material 152 supported relative to the outlet endthereof in a manner similar to that illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 of thedrawing. In the embodiment of FIGS. 7 and 8, the receptacle means issupported in its use position by bracket means 154 in the form of aC-shaped bracket having a base portion 156 and leg portions 158 and 160extending from opposite ends of base portion 156. Base portion 156 isadapted to be interconnected with support means 162 in any suitablemanner such as, for example, by means of threaded fasteners 164. It willbe appreciated, of course, that other fastening means, such as magneticholding means for example, could readily be employed. Upper leg 158 ofbracket means 154 is provided with a cylindrical opening 166 throughwhich the cap means and corresponding neck means of the receptacle isadapted to project. Bottom leg means 160 is provided with an arcuaterecess 168 having an entrance thereinto from the front end of leg 160,which entrance is defined by outwardly diverging side portions 170.Recess 168 has an arcuate contour for an extent of more than 180 wherebya throat is defined by I the space between points 172 at which thearcuate line of any desired configuration and material and, preferably,is in the form of a sheet of heavy gauge blotter paper or asbestossheeting. Further, the absorbent material may be supported relative tothe receptacle means in any desired manner and, preferably, is suspendedfrom neck means 138 by coil spring means 140 having one end 142 thereofinterengaged with threaded neck means 138 of the receptacle and theother end 144 thereof engaged under the sheet material. For the latterpurpose, the sheet of absorbent material is provided with an opening 146positioned generally centrally thereof to facilitate threading of thecorrespond- .ing end convolution of the spring through the sheetmaterial. The thread on neck 138 of the receptacle advantageouslyprovides for assembling and retaining spring 140 in place relative to.the receptacle and, accordingly, it will be appreciated that the threadson the necks of all of the embodiments of receptacles herein describedfacilitate the attachment of absorbent material to the correspondingreceptacle unit. The absorbent material advantageously provides fordispersing or spreading a liquid drop dispensed thereonto, wherebyevaporation of the liquid is enhanced. This feature is of particularimportance when the drop dispensing means is employed to provide adeoderizing function in an enclosure such as a roompMoreover, suspendingof the absorbent material at a point generally centrally thereof ispreferred in that such support advantageously prevents upward distortionof the center area of the material such as would occur if the materialwere perimetrally supported. Such upward distortion of the absorof therecess engages the corresponding side portion 170. The diameter of thearcuate portion of recess 168 is substantially equal to the diameter ofthe neck means of the receptacle adjacent the corresponding end wall ofthe receptacle, and the distance between points 172 is slightly lessthan the diameter of the neck means. Thus a throat area or restrictionis defined past which the neck means must be forced to achieve entry ofthe neck means into recess 168. Accordingly, it will be appreciated thatthis structure provides for snap fitting the corresponding neck means ofthe receptacle into place relative to the bracket means. The bracket andreceptacle structures accordingly cooperate to provide for absorbentmeans 152 to be applied to the neck means of the receptacle, for thereceptacle to be filled and for the mounting of the receptacle unit inits use position to be achieved simply by inserting the cap end of thereceptacle upwardly through opening 166 and then pressing the neck meansat the lower end of the receptacle into position in recess 168. Further,the structural relationship between the receptacle and bracket providesfor the cap means at the upper end of the receptacle to be exposed whenthe receptacle is in its mounted position whereby stopping and startingof a dispensing function and the replenishing of the receptacle withliquid is readily achieved simply by manipulating or removing the capmeans and without disturbing the mounted disposition of the receptacleunit. Moreover, the timing and dispensing insert means, whereapplicable, can readily be changed without removal of the receptaclefrom the bracket.

FIGS. 9 and 10 of the drawing illustrate yet another embodiment of thepresent invention wherein receptacle means which may be of the characterof any of the receptacle means hereinabove described is supportedtogether with absorbent means 182. by bracket means 184 within housingand support means including housing or enclosure means 186. The use ofhousing means is advantageous in situations where it is desired toprovide for the dispensing assembly to present an attractive appearance.Further, the housing and support means provides for the dispenserassembly to be pro vided with air circulating means such as fan means188 which is disposed in the housing or enclosure means and is operableto draw ambient air into the housing means and past absorbent means 182and thence outwardly into the room or enclosure in which the assembly isdisposed. The housing may be of any suitable structural configurationand material and, preferably,

includes front wall means 190, sidewall means 192 and 194, top wallmeans 196 and bottom wall means 198. Wall means 190, 192, 194, 196 and198 preferably are suitably interconnected with one another to define aunitary structure. Further, the housing and support means includessupport means which, in the embodiment illustrated, is in the form ofsupport plate means 200 which is adapted to be mounted on supportsurface means 201, such as a wall or the like, by means such as threadedfasteners 203. Moreover, bottom wall means 198 may be provided withsupport means such as is defined by foot components 202 to provide forthe assembly to rest on a horizontal surface as opposed to beingmounted. on a vertical surface. Preferably, bracket means'184 and fanmeans 188 are suitably attached to support plate means 200, and thelatter is provided with flange means 205 to'removably support theunitary housing or enclosure structure. It will be appreciated, however,that bracket means 184 may be attached to support means 201 in a mannersimilar to that describedin conjunction with the embodiment of FIGS. 7and 8, and that the housing means may be separately attached to supportmeans 201 or suitably supported by the bracket means. Further, it willbe appreciated, that the fan means may also be separately attached tosup port means 201 if so desired. In any event, the fan means will bepositioned relative to the dispensing unit in a manner whereby operationof the fan means causes ambient air to flow past absorbent means 182.

Fan means 188 may be of any suitable design and structure and in theembodiment illustrated includes electric motor means 204 adapted to beconnected by means of lead 207 to any suitable electric power supply,not illustrated. Fan means 188 further includes blade means 206 drivenby the motor to cause air circulation. Preferably, ambient air is drawninto the housing inadirection which is lateral to front wall means 90and is exhausted from the housing through the front wall. In thisrespect, sidewall means 192 and l94 may be provided with a plurality ofsuitable air inlet openings 208 and 210, respectively, and front wall190 may be provided with a plurality of air outlet openings 212 in frontof blade means 206. It will be appreciated, of course, that wall means196 could also be provided with air inlet openings and that suchopeningscould function aloneor togetherwith openings 208 and 210 in wall means192 and 194. Still further, it will be appreciated that air circulatingmeans 188 could be positioned relative to the receptacle means 180 andthe inlet and outletopenings in the housing in a manner whereby the fanwould blow air past the absorbent material as opposed to inducing airflow therepast in the manner illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10. The desiredflow pattern for air circulated by the blower advantageously providesfor deoderant vapors rising from the surface of absorbent means 182 tobe entrained in the airstream and carried thereby in a direction whichis transverse to that of the incoming air, thus to create a circulatingair pattern to avoid the intake of air which has recently been treated.This air circulating effect may be supplemented by providing for theinlet openings 208'and 210 to be disposed adjacent the upper end of thehousing and for the outlet openings 212 to be disposed adjacent thelower end of the housing, whereby maximum separation of theinlet andoutlet openings relative to the housing is achieved.

As many possible embodiments of the present invention may be made and asmany possible changes may be made in the embodiments herein illustrated,it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing description ofpreferred embodiments is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of thepresent invention and not as a limitation.

I claim:

1. A liquid drop dispensing arrangement comprising, a receptacle forliquid to be dispensed, said receptacle including opening means, meansassociated with said opening means for dispensing liquid in droplet formfrom said receptacle, a generally planar sheet of absorbent materialtransverse to and spaced from said open ing means to receive liquiddrops dispensed from said receptacle, and support means having oppositeends interconnected one with said receptacle and the other with saidsheet and at a point generally centrally thereof to support said sheetin suspension relative to said receptacle.

2. The drop dispensing arrangement according to claim 1, wherein saidreceptacle includes neck means defining said opening means, and saidsupport means is a coil spring, said one of said opposite ends of saidcoil spring being interconnected with said neck means. 3. The dropdispensing arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said receptacleincludes neck means defining said opening means, said opening means isabore in said neck means and substantially uniform in cross section alongits length and said means associated with said opening means is wickrneans radially compressed in said bore. v

4. The drop dispensing arrangement according to claim 3, wherein saidreceptacle includes second opening means and neck means defining saidsecond opening means, and closure means removably interengagable withsaid latter neck means and cooperable therewith to selectively vent andseal the interior of said receptaclev relative to atmosphere, saidclosure means being removable from said latter neck means to facilitateintroducing liquid intosaid receptacle through said secondopening means.

5. The drop dispensing arrangement according to claim 1, wherein saidreceptacle includes opposite ends and second opening means, said openingmeans and second opening means each being :in one of said opposite ends,said opposite ends each including neck means defining the correspondingone of said opening means and second opening means, and said one of saidopposite ends of said support means being interconnected with the neckmeans defining said opening means.

6. The drop dispensing arrangement according to claim 5, and mountingbracket means for said receptacle, said mounting bracket means includinga pair of leg members supported in spaced apart relationship to receivesaid opposite ends of said receptacle therebetween, each of said legmembers including means interengagable with the neck means on thecorresponding end of said receptacle to retain said receptacle in placewith respect to said bracket means.

7. The drop dispensing arrangement according to claim 6, wherein saidmeans interengagable with said neck means includes an aperture in one ofsaid leg members for the corresponding neck means and a recess in theother of said leg members, said recess opening to an edge of said otherleg member and having a restricted entrance for passage of thecorresponding neck means into said recess.

8. The drop dispensing arrangement according to claim 1, wherein saidmeans associated with said opening means is dispensing and timing meansincluding sleeve means releasably interengaged with said opening meansand wick means disposed in said sleeve means, said sleeve means having abore of uniform cross section along its length, and said wick meansbeing radially compressed within said bore to provide a desired rate ofdrop dispensing from said receptacle.

9. The drop dispensing arrangement according to claim 8, wherein saidreceptacle includes neck means defining said opening means, said sleevemeans of said dispensing and timing means and the inner surface of saidneck means including releasably interengagable rib and groove means.

10. The drop dispensing arrangement according to claim 8, whereinsaidsleeve means of said dispensing and timing means is a cylindrical sleeveof uniform external diameter and said opening means includes acylindrical bore of substantially uniform diameter, said diameters ofsaid sleeve and bore being dimensioned for said sleeve to frictionallyand sealingly engage said bore.

11. The drop dispensing arrangement according to claim 8, wherein saidreceptacle includes second openingmeans andneck means defining saidsecond opening means, and closure means removably interengagable withsaid latter neck means and cooperable therewith to selectively vent andseal the interior of said receptacle relative to atmosphere, saidclosure means being removablefrom said latter neck means to facilitateintroducing liquid into said receptacle through said second openingmeans.

12. The drop dispensing arrangement according to claim 1, and fan meansfor circulating ambient air relative to said sheet for vapors from saidliquid drops to beentrained in said ambient air.

13. The drop dispensing arrangement according to claim 12, and enclosuremeans for said receptacle and sheet, said enclosure means includinginlet and outlet opening means for circulation of ambient air throughsaid enclosure means by said fan means, said sheet being disposed in thepath of ambient air flowing between said inlet and outlet opening means.

14. The drop dispensing arrangement according to claim 13, wherein saidfan means is disposed in said enclosure means between said sheet and oneof said inlet and outlet opening means.

15. The drop dispensing arrangement according to claim 12, wherein saidinlet and outlet opening means have-angularly related axes.

16. The drop dispensing arrangement according to claim 15, wherein saidenclosure means includes front wall means and side wall means, saidinlet opening means being in said side wall means and said outletopening means being in said front wall means.

17. A liquid drop dispensing arrangement comprising, non-metallicreceptacle means for liquid to be dispensed and having a body portionand opposite ends integral with said body portion, said receptacle meansincluding first and second opening means in said opposite ends eachdefined by neckmeans integral with and extending axially outwardly fromthe corresponding end, means associated with one of said opening meansfor dispensing liquid in droplet form from said receptacle means, theneck means defining the other of said opening means being externallythreaded to removably receive internally threaded closure meanscooperable with said latter neck means to selectively vent or seal theinterior of said receptacle means relative to atmosphere to controlstopping or starting of dispensing and removable from said latter neckmeans to facilitate introducing liquid into said receptacle meansthrough said other opening means,- a sheet of absorbent materialsupported by said receptacle means in externally spaced relationshipwith respect to said one opening means to receive liquid drops dispensedfrom said receptacle means, the plane of said sheet being disposedtransverse to the axis of said one opening means, and said sheet beingsupported relative to said receptacle means by coil spring means havingopposite ends interconnected one with the neck means defining said oneof said opening means and the other with said sheet.

18. The drop dispensing arrangement according to claim 17, whereinsaidfirst and secondopenings are disposed in axial alignment with oneanother.

1. A liquid drop dispensing arrangement comprising, a receptacle forliquid to be dispensed, said receptacle including opening means, meansassociated with said opening means for dispensing liquid in droplet formfrom said receptacle, a generally planar sheet of absorbent materialtransverse to and spaced from said opening means to receive liquid dropsdispensed from said receptacle, and support means having opposite endsinterconnected one with said receptacle and the other with said sheetand at a point generally centrally thereof to support said sheet insuspension relative to said receptacle.
 2. The drop dispensingarrangement according to claim 1, wherein said receptacle includes neckmeans defining said opening means, and said support means is a coilspring, said one of said opposite ends of said coil spring beinginterconnected with said neck means.
 3. The drop dispensing arrangementaccording to claim 1, wherein said receptacle includes neck meansdefining said opening means, said opening means is a bore in said neckmeans and substantially uniform in cross section along its length, andsaid means associated with said opening means is wick means radiallycompressed in said bore.
 4. The drop dispensing arrangement according toclaim 3, wherein said receptacle includes second opening means and neckmeans defining said second opening means, and closure means removablyinterengagable with said latter neck means and cooperable therewith toselectively vent and seal the interior of said receptacle relative toatmosphere, said closure means being removable from said latter neckmeans to facilitate introducing liquid into said receptacle through saidsecond opening means.
 5. The drop dispensing arrangement according toclaim 1, wherein said receptacle includes opposite ends and secondopening means, said opening means and second opening means each being inone of said opposite ends, said opposite ends each including neck meansdefining the corresponding one of said opening means and second openingmeans, and said one of Said opposite ends of said support means beinginterconnected with the neck means defining said opening means.
 6. Thedrop dispensing arrangement according to claim 5, and mounting bracketmeans for said receptacle, said mounting bracket means including a pairof leg members supported in spaced apart relationship to receive saidopposite ends of said receptacle therebetween, each of said leg membersincluding means interengagable with the neck means on the correspondingend of said receptacle to retain said receptacle in place with respectto said bracket means.
 7. The drop dispensing arrangement according toclaim 6, wherein said means interengagable with said neck means includesan aperture in one of said leg members for the corresponding neck meansand a recess in the other of said leg members, said recess opening to anedge of said other leg member and having a restricted entrance forpassage of the corresponding neck means into said recess.
 8. The dropdispensing arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said meansassociated with said opening means is dispensing and timing meansincluding sleeve means releasably interengaged with said opening meansand wick means disposed in said sleeve means, said sleeve means having abore of uniform cross section along its length, and said wick meansbeing radially compressed within said bore to provide a desired rate ofdrop dispensing from said receptacle.
 9. The drop dispensing arrangementaccording to claim 8, wherein said receptacle includes neck meansdefining said opening means, said sleeve means of said dispensing andtiming means and the inner surface of said neck means includingreleasably interengagable rib and groove means.
 10. The drop dispensingarrangement according to claim 8, wherein said sleeve means of saiddispensing and timing means is a cylindrical sleeve of uniform externaldiameter and said opening means includes a cylindrical bore ofsubstantially uniform diameter, said diameters of said sleeve and borebeing dimensioned for said sleeve to frictionally and sealingly engagesaid bore.
 11. The drop dispensing arrangement according to claim 8,wherein said receptacle includes second opening means and neck meansdefining said second opening means, and closure means removablyinterengagable with said latter neck means and cooperable therewith toselectively vent and seal the interior of said receptacle relative toatmosphere, said closure means being removable from said latter neckmeans to facilitate introducing liquid into said receptacle through saidsecond opening means.
 12. The drop dispensing arrangement according toclaim 1, and fan means for circulating ambient air relative to saidsheet for vapors from said liquid drops to be entrained in said ambientair.
 13. The drop dispensing arrangement according to claim 12, andenclosure means for said receptacle and sheet, said enclosure meansincluding inlet and outlet opening means for circulation of ambient airthrough said enclosure means by said fan means, said sheet beingdisposed in the path of ambient air flowing between said inlet andoutlet opening means.
 14. The drop dispensing arrangement according toclaim 13, wherein said fan means is disposed in said enclosure meansbetween said sheet and one of said inlet and outlet opening means. 15.The drop dispensing arrangement according to claim 12, wherein saidinlet and outlet opening means have angularly related axes.
 16. The dropdispensing arrangement according to claim 15, wherein said enclosuremeans includes front wall means and side wall means, said inlet openingmeans being in said side wall means and said outlet opening means beingin said front wall means.
 17. A liquid drop dispensing arrangementcomprising, non-metallic receptacle means for liquid to be dispensed andhaving a body portion and opposite ends integral with said body portion,said receptacle means including first and second opening means in saidopposite ends each defined by neck means integral wiTh and extendingaxially outwardly from the corresponding end, means associated with oneof said opening means for dispensing liquid in droplet form from saidreceptacle means, the neck means defining the other of said openingmeans being externally threaded to removably receive internally threadedclosure means cooperable with said latter neck means to selectively ventor seal the interior of said receptacle means relative to atmosphere tocontrol stopping or starting of dispensing and removable from saidlatter neck means to facilitate introducing liquid into said receptaclemeans through said other opening means, a sheet of absorbent materialsupported by said receptacle means in externally spaced relationshipwith respect to said one opening means to receive liquid drops dispensedfrom said receptacle means, the plane of said sheet being disposedtransverse to the axis of said one opening means, and said sheet beingsupported relative to said receptacle means by coil spring means havingopposite ends interconnected one with the neck means defining said oneof said opening means and the other with said sheet.
 18. The dropdispensing arrangement according to claim 17, wherein said first andsecond openings are disposed in axial alignment with one another.